Djite Australia's trump card says Postecoglou

Qantas Young Socceroos believes Bruce Djite can be the trump card for his team, as they go head-to-head with defending Asian Youth Champions Korea Republic for a place in years FIFA World Youth Championships next year.

Qantas Young Socceroos believes Bruce Djite can be the trump card for his team, as they go head-to-head with defending Asian Youth Champions Korea Republic for a place in years FIFA World Youth Championships next year.

Djite, seen as one of Australia-s key players at the AFC Youth Championships being held in India, will be the freshest player on the park, having played just 15 minutes in the three matches. Postecoglou believes this will be a huge benefit to the team and he is hopeful he will get under the guard of the Koreans, who are favourites to progress to the semi-s and ultimately to win their fifth title in the last six Championships.

The former Australian Institute of Sport striker, who is training with Hyundai A-League club Adelaide United, will come straight back into the side for his Adelaide teammate Nathan Burns, who himself will serve a suspension after being sent off in the final group game against UAE.

Djite was suspended from the first game against Chine for accumulating too many yellow cards in qualifying, and in his return match against Thailand he was sensationally sent off after just 15 minutes for a late tackle, which saw him miss the UAE match.

“He has a big role to play for us,” Postecoglou said of Djite, who has scored five goals for the Qantas Young Socceroos. “He is available and is fresh, having played only 15 minutes of football since we-ve been here.

“He will provide real energy and enthusiasm and we are glad to have him back.

The speedy striker has big shoes to fill, with Burns loss a major blow, given his form for Adelaide United and his two goals against Thailand. But Postecoglou remains confident the US-born player will rise to the occasion.

“He has done well for us in the past and they (Korea Republic) will not have seen him play, so he could be our trump card.

“They won-t be prepared for him and I am sure he will cause them trouble.”

Postecoglou though will have to wait till the morning of the match to decide on the make up of his starting eleven, with three players still recovering from knocks. Goalkeeper Tando Velaphi missed the UAE match after picking up a knock against Thailand, while two-goal hero against the UAE David Williams plus midfielder Chris Grossman are also recovering from knocks.

“I-ll give them as much time as possible to recover,” Postecoglou said. “We-ll wait till tomorrow morning before making a decision, given the conditions the boys are having to play in.”

The match is a 4.00pm (9.30pm AEDT) kick-off and Postecoglou is expecting it to be very hot and humid in Kolkata.

“Every day it-s getting more and more humid, so it-s going to be another tough game for the players. But I am super confident that the 11 players that take the park will definitely be ready.

“It-s been a hectic schedule of a game every second day and the additional days break to prepare for this game was handy.

“It was always down to this one day (in order to qualify for next years FIFA World Youth Championships) and the guys are prepared for it. The pressure of 90 minutes will decide who is going to the World Cup.”

Korea though will be extremely tough opposition having won four of the past five AFC Youth titles and have won 12 titles all up. They progressed their group without too many difficulties, although Postecoglou is adamant they will not have played any team near as tough as Australia.

“They are the reigning Asian Champions and won their three group games convincingly. But they had the easiest group and haven-t had a tough game.

“Our boys are battled hardened after three tough group matches. We will test them and it will be interesting to see how they cope with us.”

The winner will play either Japan or Saudi Arabia in the semi finals on November 9, with all four semi finalists going through to the 2007 FIFA World Youth Championships in Canada.